Possessing Everything

“But as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” 2 Corinthians 6:4, 10

It’s Day 31 of Dispatches From a Suburban Parson During a Pandemic. April 15. It’s snowing.

Really?

Of course, the snow is the least of hardships for many people. People who are sick or mourning the death of a loved one. People throughout the world who live in close quarters or with inadequate resources. People who have lost income. People who live in fear of what will come.

Suffering is not new, even if this type of suffering is new to many of us. For those of us who spend most of our lives living in relative comfort, we do well to remember that billions of people throughout the world live in economic scarcity and food insecurity. Some of these people live not far from my suburban enclave.

Hardships come and go. The question for people of faith is how we will acquit ourselves during such times. In times of suffering and poverty, will we turn inward or will we work to make many rich, to use Paul’s words, remembering that we possess everything? Will we commend ourselves as servants of God?

We start by remembering and proclaiming the truth of Easter. Christ is risen! Whatever we have, whatever we lose, we have that which we most need: Life and salvation through Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, death, and the devil for us. Grace, all the way down. We have what we need.

Everyone’s situation is different, but many of us still live with an abundance of resources. How will we use them?

Millions of people this week will receive a stimulus check from the federal government. How will we use it? For those who have lost income or were already living on the margins, this will arrive as manna. But for those of us who have ongoing employment, it is a question of faith. This money cannot be for ourselves alone. Find ways to share this blessing. Give to those in need, through church, charity, or personal connection. Shop at local businesses and restaurants. Set funds aside to hire local contractors once the crisis is past. Use this gift to commend yourself to God by finding ways to bless others.

And if you are in need, reach out. Give me a call. We’ll find ways to get through this together.

We have all we need. In the risen Christ, we possess everything. Just as God possesses you, for you have been bought with the blood of the Lamb.

Be well, friends. You are loved.

God of abundance, thank you for Jesus. He is the One we truly need, the One through whom we have everything. Bless those who are struggling today. Encourage those who can help to do so. In Jesus’ name. Amen.